Tentering machine



Sept 20, 1949- J. A. GRUNDY TENTERING I MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledAug. 11 1947 Tf1/venia?" /I James (Tran/dy, by his ttorneys WwN/ mwn/Sept- 20, 1949 J. A. GRUNDY 2,482,270

TENTERING MACHINE Filed Aug. 11, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 by his yqtornegsA James Grundy,

Sept. 20, 1949. 1 A, GRUNDY TENTERING MACHINE Filed Aug. 11 1947 4Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor/i 87 .Tam/es Cmd/nay,

by his fltorrbegS #aww/f4 ,ewwzf/ SePt- 20 1949 J. A. GRUNDY 2,482,270

TENTERING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 1l, 1947 James Grundy,

by hij orneyy Patented Sept. 20, 1949 TENTERING MACHINE James A. Grundy,Philadelphia, Pa., assigner to John Bromley & Sons, Inc., Philadelphia,Pa., a lcorporation of Pennsylvania Application August 11, 1947, SerialNo. '768,037

8 Claims. (Cl. 26-57) This invention relates to textile machinery andmore particularly to -a continuous vautomatic feed for tenter frames.

Heretofore it lhas always been necessaryT to use manual feeding fortenter frames when lace is being run. The peculiar characteristics ofthis material are such that the .tension applied in the feeding AVof thefabric controls the final length of the material toa much greater degreethan with a more vclosely woven material. As a result, it has been foundthat even a highly skilled -feeder cannot avoid .irregularity in thefeeding of the lace with 4.consequent loss due to rejection ofconsiderable material. For example, in the stretching of lace lcurtainswhich should be of uniform length such as ninety inches, it was foundthat it was impossible for a hand feeder to .maintain the curtain lengthwithin limits of plus vor minus two inches. .Obviously a pair ofcurtains must be matched closer than four inches in length and ittherefore becomes necessary that each curtain be .individually measuredso that they lmay be paired in equal lengths or the curtains having.maximum variations ybe discarded entirely. In any event, it has beennecessary for each curtain to be measured individually and thismeasuring .operation .entails considerable loss vof ytiri-1e and money.

The provision of a `continuous tenter frame and feed, which if desired,may be 4set .up as a unit with the loom, enables .the weaving, sizingand tentering -of the material .to .be performed without any manual4control whatsoever, and not only has the advantage of greater.production but provides .constant tension on the material at all times.

Therefore, a primary object of the invention is to provide automatictension control feed for tenter frames.

Another object .of the invention is to provide auto-matic speed controlfor the ,padder rolls of a dunker and ,means whereby the tension in thefabric between the padder rolls and the feed rolls as well as Ybetweenthe feed rolls and the tenter .frame proper are vall automaticallyarranged and controlled.

A .still further object of the invention is 'to provide meansespeciallyY adapted to the stretching -o-r relaxing of lace in tenterframes.

Further .objects of the invention will be apf- Fig. 4 is an enlargedsectional detail along lines 4 4 of Figs. l and 2;

Fig. .5 is an enlarged detail of the feed plate;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail of the brush feed;

Fig. 7 is a perspective detail showing a padder roll .compensator butwith the electrical switch on the side of the frame .opposite to thatshown in Figs. l and 2; and

Fig. 8 is the wiring diagram of the electrical control system.

The invention comprises essentially a unitary machine having a drinkerTwith its associated rollers for sizing a. fabric, a pair of powerdriven padder rolls positioned at. one end of the ,dunler, a compensatorsupported immediately after he padder rollsrforvfindependently andautomatically regulating thespeed of the padder rolls in proportion tothe `tension of the fabric as it leaves the padder rolls, a pair lofpower driven. feed rolls supported in alignment with the .padder rolls,and ,power driven feed brushes which maintain ya taut condition in thefabric between the feed rolls and the brushes on the tenter frame.

The .invention also includes provision 4of interrelated electricalcontrol devices for the brushes, feed rolls and padder .rolls as well asa special guide plate which `operates in conjunction with the feedbrushes to guide the' fabric on to the impaling pins of the tenterframe.

Referring now lmoreparticularly to the 'drawings, a conventional tenterVframe designated generally at lil, adapted to receive and stretch aroll of textile material '|'I has .a ypair of adinstable frame membersl2 and vI?) carrying sprockets li!- and l5 Vat their outer extremitieswhich in turn support the .chains I6 and Il' of the tenter frame. Forthe sake .of clarity. the construction and .operation of a conventionaltenter frame are notdescribed in detail except insofar as related tothepresent invention. The tenter frame proper is wel1 known in the art, anexample of which is l.United States Patent 1,234,897 toS. L. Cluett.

Feed brushes -l and I9 are lmounted at the ends of members .l2 and 4.3.and are driven. from cross shaft 2) through ch-ains 2l and 22. A pairof feed rolls 23 .and l24 .are supported from unright frame members 25v.and '2E by brackets 2" and 28 (Figs. 1 and 2). The axes of rollers 23and 24 are substantially in a vertical plane with each other and theheight of the rolls on frame members 25 and .2G is such that thematerial as it passes between the rol-1ers is substantially in line withchains I6 and I1 as they pass over the tops of sprockets M and l5.Located directly in front of feed rollers 23and 24 on horizon-tel frame29 is a compensator assembly consisting of two fixed rollers 30 and 3land a central pivoted roller 32. The fabric feeds over roller instaggered vertical alignment with stationary rollers 42, 43 and 44 toprovide repeated immersion of the fabric in a sizing solution 45contained in vat 46 which with its associated rollers is known as adunker. A pair of Vopposed fish plates 41 and 48 having biasedcorrugations in accordancewith conventional practice serve to smoothanyV wrinkles in the fabric before it is fed on to roller 40.

Fish plates 41 and 48 may Yalso be secured to the member 33l and 4I orto kvertical member 49, all of which are conveniently constructed ofangle iron to form a rigid support structure for the various rollers.The fabric before being fed onto the sh plates may be supplied from alarge feed roll or directly from the prior operation such as a fabricweaving machine (notshown).

Vat 46 is providedwith a sloping lip 58Hwhich extends underpadder rolls35 and 36 in 'order to return to the vat thesolution squeezed from thefabric between the rolls. The threeV rolls 42, 43 and 44 are immersed inthe liquid 45 to provide ample sizing of thematerial and the pressure.between padderr rol1sw35 and 38, which are ordinarily rubber covered,is suiicient to draw the fabric through the dunker as well as to squeezeall excess sizing fluid therefrom.

Padder roll 36 is driven by chain 5| froml a. variable speed unit 52which in turn is driven by electric motor 53 through chain 54. Controlof the variable speed unit52 is eifected by means of a small electricmotor 55 mounted on the housingof unit 52 and controlling the speedratio in the unit through chain 56 connected to the regulating elementof unit 52.

The compensator, which islocated between feed rolls 23 and 24V andpadder'rolls 35 and 36, serves to control the tension of the fabricbetween the feed rolls and the Ypadder rolls by regulating the speed oflower padderroll 36. Compensator roll 32 is pivoted to upright framemember 51 by means of rocker shaft 58 (Fig. 7) and counter balance. 59isA adjustablyrnounted on rocker shaft 58 and serves to balance roll 32.Any desired adjustment may be made by turning the counter weight59 onthreaded rod 60 to which it may be secured by means of lock nut 6|. Anelectricalswitchz, preferably of the mercury variety, is connected tothe axis of roller 32 through links 83 andlso that the switch isactuated by pivotal movement of roller 32 around rocker shaft 58. YItwill be apparent that when thertension inthe fabric |I is increasedbetween the padder rolls andthe feed rolls, roller 32 moves upwardlyaround rocker shaft `58 to activate switchY 62. If, however, vthetension in fabric II at the compensator decreases, roller 32 drops thusraising counter Weight 59 and energizing different contacts in rswitch62. The electrical connections .andpperation of switch 82 will bedescribed hereinafter in connection with Fig. 8.

After leaving roller 30 of the compensator, the fabric passesbetween thefeed rolls 23 and 24, the lower one of which is driven by means of chain10 mounted on sprockets 1| and 12. From the feed rolls, the fabricengages the ngers 13 the position of fingers 13. 'geared to threadedadjusting screws 15 by means 4 of electrical switches 14 which aremounted at the forward extremities of members IZand I3 on the frame.Electrical contacts within switches 14 serve to operate motors 15 inaccordance with The motors 15 are of 'spur gears 11 and 13 (Fig. 3) Vandscrews 15 Vare threadedly engaged with members 'I2 and I3 so thatrotationl of screws 16 serves to'move one or both of members I2 and I3laterally thereby increasingl or decreasing the distance betweensprockets I4 and |51 Members I2 and I3 are supported on casters 19 whichrun on track 88- thereby facilitating the lateral adjustment of membersI2 and I 3. The above fingers and lateral adjustment construction of theVtenterframe proper is entirely conventional and formsno part of thepresent invention. The use, however, of a power driven adjustable'feedbrush mounted on the frame members I2 and I3 enables the tenter frame tobe utilized successfully with a Very loosely knit material such as lace.

kA feed plate 8| r(Fig. 5) having aV forwardly o extending downwardlycurvedlip 82 and a slot 83 at the rearward end thereof guides theselvage of the fabric ontoV the impaling-pins 84 carried by the links ofchains ItandV I1. YPlates 8| are adjustably mounted by means,v ofbracket 85 on strap 86. Bolt 81 and slot 88 in vstrap 86 permitlongitudinal adjustment of'pl'ates 8| with respect to sprockets I4 andI5.` The mounting` and spacing of theplates 8| is important since thepins 84 extend through slot 83 to engage vthe selvage Y as it traversesthe upper surfaces of plates 8|. An additional groove 89 in` alignmentwith slot 83 permits theraised portion of thechain links I6 to bereceived thereby thus providingproper external Yclearance for the pinsabove the upper surface of plates 8|. Y

In accordance V with customary practice, the fabric II is fed on to thepins84 so thatfthe selvage of the fabric-is securely impaled on thepins. Gradual tranverse stretching of the fabric takes place as itprogresses along membersY I 2 and .I3 which may be adjustably set forany predetermined final .Width. Since the fabric is stretchedtransversely after it isY impaled on the pins, it is essential, andespecially with lace material, that a certain gather be imparted to theselvage as it is impaled on the pins 84 inorder that there be asuffcientamount of material between members I2 and'. I 3V to provide forthe Yde,- sired stretching. The primaryr function of brushes kI8 and VI9insofar as thestretching of the lace is concerned is vto overfeed thefabric onto pins 84 ina controlled amountdependent upon thespeed of feedrolls .23 and 24. Further@ more, the spacing of the brushes withrespectto the point at which pins 84 begin to protrude through slots 83in plates,8|.is also.. important since a desired amountV of :the fabricmust be gathered at this point in order that it may be properly impaledon the pins. Y

I haveA therefore found that it isA desirable to offset the center lineofthe brushes with respect to the center of sprockets I4 and` I 5A asshown in Fig. 6.` By providing aP peripheral speed for brushes I8 andi!)somewhat in excess of the speed of pins 84 and in locating the brushesforwardly on plate 8|, the fabric is maintained taut between the pointof contact with .the brushes and the feed rolls 23 Aand 24. In additionto insuring the desired amount. of overfeed. this construction has theadditional important advana tage of insuring constant tension on theselvages of thefabric .at the Vpoints contacted by lingers 13 with theresult that hunting of lingers 13 is largely eliminated.y Ithas Ibeenthe experience of lace manufacturers that hunting of fingers 13 causes.excessive variation in the width of the material and especially inthe.amount which was fed to the chains. Constant tension between the feedbrushes and the feed rolls serves to reduce the operation of motors `15to an absolute minimum thereby providing much greater uniformity in thestretched product.

Brushes I8 and :I9 are mounted on shafts 9| and 92 which .are supportedin brackets 93 .and 94 likewise mounted on members I2 and I3. Chains 2|and 22 are -driven by sprockets 95 and 96 respectively which areslidably keyed to shaft 2|! by means of e. long key or spline 91. Eachsprocket 95and 96 has an annular groove 98 in its hub which is adaptedto ride in yoke 99 vsupported from members .I2 and I3 by brackets |00.This construction permits sprockets 95 and 9S to move transversely onshaft in accordance with the position yof members I2 and I3 which is inturn regulated by :screw shaft 16 and motor 15. Shaft 20 is mounted intrunnions IDI and is provided with .a sprocket |02 driven by shaft ISB(Fig. '3) through .chain IM.

Shaft r|03 is vdrivexl from shaft |95 by means of spur gears |08(Fig, 1) and power is in turn transmitted t shaft |05 from variablespeed unit |01 through chain |08. Shaft |05 likewise drives the feedrolls 23 and 24 through sprocket 12 and chain 10. The intake side ofvariable speed unit |01 is connected with jackshafts |09 and ||0`through chains III and ||2 respectively and shaft IIS is likewisedriven from the main ttr frame motor IH3 through chain H4, variablespeed unit H5, chain H6, vshaft ||1 and chain H8.. Control of unit |01is elected manually at ||9 whereas the regulation of unit ||5 is similarto the regulation of unit 52 in that electric motor |20 operates thespeed controlling device through chain |21. In accordance with customarypractice, the main tenter chains I6 and I1 are driven through sprockets(not shown) from shaft I1.

The interrelated control of the entire system can best be understood byreferring to the wiring diagram, Fig. B, which vshows how the variousmotors and speed control devices cooperate with each other. rlhevariable speed units 52 and ||5 are not described in detail because suchdevices are `readily obtainable in the market and are, therefore weilknown. Current from the main supply |25 is led to 'main switch |26 whichwhen 'closed starts' main motor ||3 'and padder roll motor 53. IIn thisw'ay, neither of these motors can be separately started. The speed withwhich the tent-.eirr-aine and the :poeder 'rolls .should operate dependsprimarily upon the type of goods, their size and the nature of theparticular operation; therefore, any desired speed of the padder rollsand the 'chains 'I6 and I1 will be obtained by closing the double throw,double pole switch |21 to operate speed control motors 55 and |26. Theconnection between the speed control motors is such that closing switch|21 operates both :motors simultaneously and it will be apparent thatthis switch is normally open. but is closed merely when change in speedis desired. Opposite holes of switch 121 simply serve to reverse thedirection of motors 55 and +20 so that when this switch is :closed inone position the speed of the padder rolls and 'the main fram-e will beincreased whereas 'if it is closed in the opposite direction the speedwill be .decreased u-ntil switch |21 is opened. Since motors 53 and H3operate .at the sam-e speed., a .constant relation .between the tenterframe chains and thev padder rolls is always achieved insofar as thesemotors and the control units 52 and I l5 can be regulated by mearns ofeither switch |26 or |21.

Automatic variation between the speed of the padder rolls and the tenterframe is provided, however, by means of the compensator, the action of`which has been previously described. The electrical leads from switchB2 Vof the compensator are connected across the leads to control motor55 in such -a way that only motor 55 will be started when thecompensator calls for increased or decreased padder roll speed. Thisautomatic actuation takes place only when switch |21 is not closed tostart both motors 55 and |28, hecause lthe/leads |28 and |28' areconnected with leads |29 .and |29 only when the Aswitch is open. As soonlas the switch is thrown in either direction, the circuit to switch 52is broken thereby rendering the compensator inoperative to regulatemotor 55.

I have found that for lace material, suflicient overfeed of brushes I8and 'IS may be obtained bythe proper ratio between gears |05 (Fig. l). Adifference of one tooth in these gears is ordinarily ample to providethe desired amount of overfeed for lace. Provision for changing theratio between shafts |03 and IE5 is not required except when widelydifferent materials are being fed. In order that proper feed of thebrushes and the feed rolls be maintained Ywith respect to the chains I5and |1 and the padder rolls 35 and 36, control of the feed roll speed isachieved vthrough variable speed unit |01 which provides direct butvariable connection with the main drive through shaft I I1. Any desiredsetting of the feed roll with respect lto the main feed is provided bymeans of adjustment 1| `|9 which at the same time changes the feed brushspeed -as well as the feed roller speed. It is important that the ratioof the brush and roller speeds remain constant for any specified ratioof gears |05 and therefore operation of adjustment ||9 regulates thebrush and roller speeds simultaneously.

Variable speed unit |81 provides a range from zero to 30% overfeed orunderfeed thereby controlling shrinkage to within llimits of 1.5% to 3%.Regulation of the amount of overfeed depends to some extent upon thenature of the sizing fluid used in the dunken For example, a starch nishshrinks 6% to l2% whereas a resin sizing shrinks '1.5% to 3%. Thus itwill be apparent that the setting of control ||9 will be made `primarily'in accordance with the amount of shrinkage which should be imparted tothe fabric.

The provision of feed rollers extending the full width 'of the yfabricis especially important for lace goods and has been found to be verydesirable in providing the proper actuating tension for fingers 13.

I have thus provided Aan improved tenter machine specially adapted forlace which includes the automatic control and feeding devices neces-'sa-ry to eliminate all hand feeding of this material and which may beemploye-d in direct conunction with the loom. -I-e-ret-ofore the sizingor "dunking operation has been an entirely separate process and thefeeding of iace to a tenter frame `has necessitated Athe employment ofskilled feeders because of the 'nature of the fabric and its peculiarreaction to stretching. The control relatively simpl-e and above allprovides a substantially foolproof automatic lace feed which eliminates`the necessity for measuring the length of the shrunken fabric becausethe varia-v tion in width and length is maintained within very closetolerances.

I claim:

1. In tentering machine construction having continuous feed from afabric weaving machine to the tenterframe proper, a dunker comprising avat having a plurality of horizontal rollers disposed in and over saidVat, a pair of horizontal padder rolls mounted atone end of the' vat, a

compensator comprising two horizontal stationari7 rollers and a pivotedroller, said stationary rollers being in alignment with said padderrolls, a pair of feed rolls mounted in alignment with thecompensatorrollers, a pair of adjustable tenter frame members in alignment withthefeed rolls, means for adjusting said frame members laterally withrespect to each other, a pair of feed brushes mounted on the tenterframe members, said feed brushes being driven in timed relation with thefeed rollers, a variable speed unit adapted to drive one of the padderrolls, a regulating electric motor for said variable speed unit, saidmotorbeing connected to the compensator by means of a switch wherebymovement ofthe compensator roller operates the regulating motor to varythe speed of the driven padder rolls through the variable speed unit. Y

. 2. A tenter machine comprising a pair of relatively adjustable tenterframe members having sprockets at the outer end of eachmember, a, pairof chains operating on said sprockets, the chains carrying pins forimpaling a fabric, a flat guide plate having a longitudinal slotadjustably mounted on each frame member over each sprocket so that thepins on the chain protrude through the slot on the guide plate beforereaching top dead center ofthe sprocket, a pair of feed brushes mountedon said frame members, means for driving said feed brushes at aperipheral speed in excess of the chain speed, a pair of feed rolls forfeeding fabric t0 the pins and brushes, said rolls being supported inspaced relation to the Vsprockets of the frame members, and a pair' ofmovable lingers mounted on the frame members adapted to contact thefabricedge as it is fed between the feed rolls and the feed brushes, thetension in the fabric between the feed rolls and the brushes maintainingthe ngers'in a substantially constantposition.

3. In a tentering machine having a pair of adjustable side members achain adapted to move along the side members and means on the chains forgrasping and retaining a fabric, a feed brush assembly comprising abracket mounted on each side member, a guide plate adjustably attachedto each bracket, said guide plates having a rearwardly disposed slotthrough which the fabric retaining means arcuately protrude, a forwardlyand downwardly disposed lip on each guide plate, and a driven feed brushmounted on each of said side members to feed fabric along the guideplates and onto the fabric retaining meansv as they emerge through theslots. Y

4. In tentering machine construction, a continuous feed control systemcomprising a driven padder roll, a first variable speed unit connected-to said padder roll having speed regulating means,

an electric motor operatively controlling said speed regulating, means on the first variable speed unit, a tenter frame, a power driven feedroll for said tenter frame, a second variable speedunit connected tosaid feed roll and having speed regu- 6. A control system in accordancewith claim 4 having a single speed-control switch'V -so con'- nected tostartboth .the speed regulating motors simultaneously whereby the outputof the variable speed units may be equally increased ordecr'eased, andautomatic means for regulating the speed of the padder roll when thespeed-control switch is open. l

7. In tentering machine construction, a` tenter frame having a pair oflaterally adjustable members, a pair of feedv rolls in alignment withsaid members, a pairof feedV brushes mounted oneach of said members,means for. driving the feed rolls and the feed brushes in apredetermined constant ratio with each other, said means including asprocket on one ofthe feed rolls, a sprocket on each of the feedbrushes, aY shaft in; alignment with the centers ofthe feed brushes, apair of sprockets slidable on said sha-ft, chainsconnect-v ing each ofsaidslldable sprockets'torthe feed brush sprockets, and connectingmeansA including spur gears between the shaft land thefeed rollsprocket. Y f 8. In tentering machine constructiomeJ tenter frame havinga pair of laterally adjustable .members carrying a. tenterg'chain,aipair of feed rolls in alignment with said members, a pair of feedbrushes mounted on each of-said members, means for driving the feedrolls and the feed brushes in a predetermined constant ratio with `eachother, said means including a sprocket on one of the feed rolls, asprocketon each ofthe feed brushes, a shaft in alignment with thecenters of thefeed brushes, a-pair of sprockets slidable on said shaft,chains connecting each of said slidable sprockets to the feedbrush-sprockets, a second shaft having a sprocket in drivingrelationwith the first shaft,

rolls with respectto thetenter chain. y f Y JAMss a.' Gauner.,REFERENCES fCIrED*Y The followingA references are of record the flle ofthis patent:

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Number Name Date 1,673,253 Krantz June l2, 1928 1,754,196 Draper Apr,8,- 1930 1,773,232 .Lenders V Aug. 19,1930 1,864,681 Tandel Y June 28,1932 2,327,712 1 Huey etal. 1 Aug. 24, 1943

